Plans have been put forward to build hundreds of new flats and creative arts and co-working spaces on the site of a disused shopping centre.

The site covers the derelict Trafalgar Centre in Chatham High Street and the recently vacated NCP car park in Rhode street.

Kent-based developers Terrace Butler Holdings (TBH) purchased the shopping centre last year.

It has sat empty for the best part of a decade but now proposals to erect 200 flats across three buildings have been brought forward, including a range of one and two bedroom apartments.

A consultation phase was launched earlier this week with "illustrative" CGI images of how the scheme might look.

It has factored into the designs plans for dedicated co-working offices on site, as well as an artist and creative space on the ground floor.

Courtyard space is proposed in addition to a new pedestrian link to the High Street, landscape improvements, cycle and refuse storage, on-site renewable energy generation and electrical vehicle charging points.

The UK's largest car park operator, NCP recently quit its lease of the 261-space multi-storey car park beside the facility in the town centre.

The developers intend to retain around 175 of those parking spaces for the new complex whilst making a number of improvements to its appearance.

Medway Council's masterplan for Chatham town centre from 2019 said the Trafalgar Centre redevelopment needed to be "carefully considered" alongside plans for the Pentagon Shopping Centre.

The developers behind the Trafalgar scheme say its plan will support the redevelopment of sustainable brownfield land and provide new, high quality residential accommodation in a sustainable location.

Construction of a second “anchor” building in Chatham High Street will compliment the Mountbatten House proposals, it added, which has also been earmarked for a mixed-use development.

It claims this will increase footfall in the town centre and assist with the town's regeneration bid whilst supporting local shops and services.

TBH said it also plans to add more creative space which will "enhance and strengthen" existing assets such as Nucleus Arts Centre nearby.

The Trafalgar Centre was permanently shut in 2013 and has sat derelict ever since.

It was built in the 1960's and initially operated as a Fine Fare supermarket before rebranding as an InShops complex for a collection of small stores and stall holders.

Plans had been mooted for its redevelopment into a boutique-led outlet back in 2010 but these never came to fruition.

Earlier this year it was revealed space for retail stores at the nearby Pentagon shopping centre could be reduced and replaced with office space under council-led plans worth an estimated £10 million.

It comes as footfall within the town centre reportedly dropped by 37% during the pandemic.

More information on the new plans can be found on the consultation page by clicking here.

Alternatively, views and comments can be submitted directly via an email to info@tbholdings.com

The deadline for comments is Monday December 6.